"'Duryodhana said, "Listen, once more, O ruler of the Madras, to what I

will say unto thee, about what happened, O lord, in the battle between

the gods and the Asuras in days of yore. The great rishi Markandeya

narrated it to my sire. I will now recite it without leaving out

anything, O best of royal sages. Listen to that account confidingly and

without mistrusting it at all. Between the gods and the Asuras, each

desirous of vanquishing the other, there happened a great battle, O king,

which had Taraka for its evil (root). It hath been heard by us that the

Daityas were defeated by the gods. Upon the defeat of the Daityas, the

three sons of Taraka, named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmalin, O

king, practising the austerest penances, lived in the observance of high

vows. By those penances they emaciated their bodies, O scorcher of foes.

In consequence of their self-restraint, their penances, their vows and

contemplation, the boongiving Grandsire became gratified with them and

gave them boons. Unitedly they solicited the Grandsire of all the worlds,

O king, for the boon of immunity from death at the hands of all Creatures

of all times. The divine Lord and Master of all the worlds said unto

them, 'There is nothing like immunity from death at the hands of all

creatures. Therefore, ye Asuras, abstain from such a prayer. Solicit some

other boon that may seem desirable to you.' When all of them, O king,

having settled it amongst themselves after long and repeated conferences,

bowed to the great Master of all the worlds and said these words, 'O god,

O Grandsire, give us this boon. Residing in three cities, we will rove

over this Earth, with thy grace ever before us. After a 1,000 years then,

we will come together, and our three cities also, O sinless one, will

become united into one. That foremost one amongst the gods who will, with

one shaft, pierce those three cities united into one, will, O lord, be

the cause of our destruction.' Saying unto them, 'Let it be so,' that god

ascended to heaven. Those Asuras then, filled with joy at having obtained

those boons and having settled it among themselves about the construction

of the three cities, selected for the purpose the great Asura Maya, the

celestial artificer, knowing no fatigue or decay, and worshipped by all

the daityas and danavas. Then Maya, of great intelligence, by the aid of

his own ascetic merit, constructed three cities, one of which was of

gold, another of silver, and the third of black iron. The golden city was

set in heaven, the silver city in the welkin, and the iron city was set

on the Earth, all in such a way as to revolve in a circle, O lord of

Earth. Each of those cities measured a hundred yojanas in breadth and a

hundred in length. And they consisted of houses and mansions and lofty

walls and porches. And though teeming with lordly palaces close to each

other, yet the streets were wide and spacious. And they were adorned with

diverse mansions and gate-ways. Each of those cities, again, O monarch,

had a separate king. The beautiful city of gold belonged to the

illustrious Tarakaksha: the silver city to Kamalaksha, and the iron one

to Vidyunmalin. Those three Daitya kings, soon assailing the three worlds

with their energy, continued to dwell and reign, and began to say, 'Who

is he called the Creator?' Unto those foremost of Danavas having no

heroes equal to them, came from every side millions upon millions, of

proud and flesh-eating Danavas who had before been defeated by the

celestials, and who now settled in the three cities, desirous of great

prosperity. Unto all of them thus united, Maya became the supplier of

every thing they wanted. Relying upon him, all of them resided there, in

perfect fearlessness. Whoever amongst those residing in the triple city

wished for any object in his heart had his wish fulfilled by Maya aided

by the latter's powers of illusion. Tarakaksha had a heroic and mighty

son named Hari. He underwent the austerest of penances, upon which the

Grandsire became gratified with him. When the god was gratified, Hari

solicited a boon of him, saying, 'Let a lake start into existence in our

city, such that persons, slain by means of weapons, may, when thrown into

it, come out with life, and with redoubled strength.' Obtaining this

boon, the heroic Hari, son of Tarakaksha, created a lake, O lord, in his

city, that was capable of reviving the dead. In whatever form and

whatever guise a Daitya might have been slain, if thrown into that lake,

he was restored to life, in the self-same form and guise. Obtaining alive

the slain among them, the Daityas began to afflict the three worlds.

Crowned with success by means of austere penances, those enhancers of the

fears of the gods sustained, O king, no diminution in battle. Stupefied

then by covetousness and folly, and deprived of their senses, all of them

began to shamelessly exterminate the cities and towns established all

over the universe. Filled with pride at the boons they had received, and

driving before them, at all times and from all places, the gods with

their attendants, they roamed at will over celestial forests and other

realms dear to the denizens of heaven and the delightful and sacred

asylums of rishis. And the wicked Danavas ceased to show any respect for

anybody. While the worlds were thus afflicted, Sakra, surrounded by the

Maruts, battled against the three cities by hurling his thunder upon them

from every side. When, however, Purandra failed to pierce those cities

made impenetrable, O king, by the Creator with his boons, the chief of

celestials, filled with fear, and leaving those cities, repaired with

those very gods to that chastiser of foes, viz., the Grandsire, for

representing unto him the oppressions committed by the Asuras.

Representing everything and bowing with their heads unto him, they asked

the divine Grandsire the means by which the triple city could be

destroyed. The illustrious Deity, hearing the words of Indra, told the

gods, 'He that is an offender against you offends against me also. The

Asuras are all of wicked souls and always hate the gods. They that give

pain to you always offend against me. I am impartial to all creatures.

There is no doubt in this. For all that, however, they that are

unrighteous should be slain. This is my fixed vow. Those three forts are

to be pierced with one shaft. By no other means can their destruction be

effected. None else, save Sthanu, is competent to pierce them with one

shaft. Ye Adityas, select Sthanu, otherwise called Ishana and Jishnu, who

is never fatigued with work, as your warrior. It is he that will destroy

those asuras.' Hearing these words of his, the gods with Sakra at their

head, making Brahman take their lead, sought the protection of the Deity

having the bull for his mark. Those righteous ones accompanied by rishis

devoted to the severest penances and uttering the eternal words of the

Vedas, sought Bhava with their whole soul. And they praised, O king, in

the high words of the Vedas, that dispeller of fears in all situations of

fear that Universal Soul, that Supreme Soul, that One by whom All this is

pervaded with his Soul. Then the gods who, by special penances, had

learnt to still all the functions of his Soul and to withdraw Soul from

Matter,--they who had their soul always under control--beheld him, called

Ishana,--that lord of Uma, that mass of energy, that is, who hath no

equal in the universe, that source (of everything), that sinless Self.

Though that Deity is one they had imagined him to be of various forms.

Beholding in that high-souled one those diverse forms that each had

individually conceived in own heart, all of them became filled with

wonder. Beholding that Unborn one, that Lord of the universe, to be the

embodiment of all creatures, the gods and the regenerate Rishis, all

touched the Earth with their heads. Saluting them with the word 'Welcome'

and raising them from their bent attitudes, the illustrious Sankara

addressed them smilingly, saying, 'Tell us the object of your visit.'

Commanded by the Three-eyed god, their hearts became easy. They then said

these words unto him, 'Our repeated salutations to thee, O Lord.

Salutations to thee that art the source of all the gods, to thee that art

armed with the bow, to thee that art full of wrath. Salutations to thee

that hadst destroyed the sacrifice of that lord of creatures (viz.,

Daksha) to thee that art adored by all the lords of creatures.

Salutations to thee that art always praised, to thee that deservest to be

praised, to thee that art Death's self. Salutations to thee that art red,

to thee that art fierce, to thee that art blue-throated, to thee that art

armed with the trident, to thee that art incapable of being baffled, to

thee that hast eyes as beautiful as those of the gazelle, to thee that

fightest with the foremost of weapons, to thee that deservest all praise,

to thee that art pure, to thee that art destruction's self, to thee that

art the destroyer; to thee that art irresistible, to thee that art

Brahman, to thee that leadest the life of a brahmacari; to thee that art

Ishana; to thee that art immeasurable, to thee that art the great

controller, to thee that art robed in tatters; to thee that art ever

engaged in penances, to thee that art tawny, to thee that art observant

of vows, to thee that art robed in animal skins; to thee that art the

sire of Kumara, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that art armed with

the foremost of weapons, to thee that destroyest the afflictions of all

that seek thy shelter, to thee that destroyest all haters of brahmanas,

to thee that art the lord of all trees, the lord of all men, the lord of

all kine, and ever the lord of sacrifices. Salutations to thee that art

always at the head of troops, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that

art endued with fierce energy. We devote ourselves to thee in thought,

word and deed. Be gracious unto us.' Gratified with these adorations, the

holy one, saluting them with the word 'Welcome' said unto them, 'Let your

fears be dispelled. Say, what we are to do for you?'"'"

"'Duryodhana said, "After the fears of those throngs of the pitris, the

gods, and the Rishis had thus been dispelled by that high-souled Deity,

Brahman then offered his adorations, unto Sankara, and said these words

for the benefit of the universe, 'Through thy favour, O Lord of all, the

Lordship of all creatures is mine. Occupying that rank, I have given a

great boon to the Danavas. It behoveth none else, save thee, O Lord of

the Past and the Future, to destroy those wicked wights that show no

regard for any one. Thou O god, art the only person competent to slay the

foes of these denizens of heaven that have sought thy protection and that

solicit thee. O lord of all the gods, show favour to these. Slay the

Danavas, O wielder of the trident. O giver of honours, let the universe,

through thy grace, obtain happiness. O Lord of all the worlds, thou art

the one whose shelter should be sought. We all seek thy shelter.'

"'"Sthanu said, 'All your foes should be slain. But, I shall not however,

slay them single-handed. The enemies of the gods are possessed of might.

Therefore, all of you, united together, consume those enemies of yours in

battle, with half my might. Union is great strength.'

"'"The gods said, 'Theirs (Danavas') is twice the energy and might of

ourselves, we think, for we have already seen their energy and might.'

"'"The holy one said, 'Those sinful wights that have offended against ye

should be slain. With half of my energy and might, slay all those enemies

of yours.'

"'"The gods said, 'We will not be able, O Maheswara, to bear half of thy

energy. With, on the other hand, half of our united might, do thou slay

those foes.'

"'"The holy one said, 'If, indeed, ye have not the ability to bear half

of my might, then, endued with half of your united energy, I will slay

them.'

"'Duryodhana continued, "The celestials then, addressing the god of gods,

said 'So be it' O best of kings. Taking half of their energies from all

of them, he became superior in might. Indeed, in might that god became

superior to all in the universe. From that time Sankara came to be called

Mahadeva. And Mahadeva then said, 'Armed with bow and shaft, I will, from

my car, slay in battle those foes of yours, ye denizens of heaven.

Therefore, ye gods, see now to my car and bow and shaft so that I may,

this very day, throw the Asuras down on the Earth.'

"'"The gods said, 'Gathering all forms that may be found in the three

worlds and taking portions of each, we will each, O Lord of the gods,

construct a car of great energy for thee. It will be a large car, the

handiwork of Viswakarman, designed with intelligence.' Saying this, those

tigers among the gods began the construction of that car. And they made

Vishnu and Soma and Hutasana the arrow for Sankara's use. Agni became the

staff, and Soma became the head, and Vishnu the point, O king, of that

foremost of arrows. The goddess Earth, with her large cities and towns,

her mountains and forests and islands, that home of diverse creatures,

was made the car. The Mandara mountain was made its axle; and the great

river Ganga was made its Jangha; and the points of the compass, cardinal

and subsidiary became the ornaments of the car. The constellations became

its shaft; the Krita age became its yoke; and that best of Snakes, viz.,

Vasuki, became the Kuvara of that car. Himavat and Vindhya mountains

became its Apaskara and Adhishthana; and the Udaya and the Asta mountains

were made the wheels of that car by those foremost ones among the gods.

They made the excellent Ocean, that abode of the Danavas its other axle.

The seven Rishis became the protectors of the wheels of that car. Ganga

and Sarasvati and Sindhu and the Sky became its Dhura; all the other

rivers and all the waters became the chords for binding the several limbs

of that car. Day and Night and the other divisions of time such as Kalas

and Kasthas, and the Seasons became its Amukarsha. The blazing planets

and the stars became its wooden fence; Religion, Profit, and Pleasure,

united together, became its Trivenu. The herbs and the creepers, decked

with flowers and fruits, became its bells. Making the Sun and the Moon

equal, these were made the (other two) wheels of that foremost of cars.

Day and Night were made its auspicious wings on the right and left. The

ten foremost of snakes having Dhritarashtra for their first, all

exceedingly strong, formed the (other) shaft of that car. The Sky was

made its (other) yoke, and the clouds called Samvartaka and Valahaka were

the leathern strings of the yoke. The two Twilights and Dhritri and Medha

and Sthiti and Sannati, and the firmament bespangled with planets and

stars, were made the skins for covering that car. Those Regents of the

world, viz., the Lords of the gods, of the waters, of the dead, and of

treasures, were made the steeds of that car. Kalaprishtha, and Nahusha,

and Karkotaka, and Dhananjaya and the other snakes became the chords for

binding the manes of the steeds. The cardinal and the subsidiary

directions became the reins of the steeds of that car. The Vedic sound

Vashat became the goad, and Gayatri became the string attached to that

goad. The four auspicious days were made the traces of the steeds, and

the pitris presiding over them were made the hooks and pins. Action and

truth and ascetic penances and profit were made the chords of that car.

The Mind became the ground upon which that car stood, and Speech the

tracks upon which it was to proceed. Beautiful banners of various hues

waved in the air. With lightning and Indra's bow attached to it, that

blazing car gave fierce light. That space of time which, on a former

occasion, had, in the Sacrifice of the high-souled Ishana, been fixed as

a Year, became the bow, and the goddess Savitri became the loud-sounding

bow-string. A celestial coat of mail was made, decked with costly gems,

and impenetrable and effulgent, sprung from the wheel of Time. That

golden mountain, viz., the beautiful Meru, became the flagstaff, and the

clouds decked with flashes of lightning became its banners. Thus

equipped, that car shone brilliantly like a blazing fire in the midst of

the priests officiating at a sacrifice. Beholding that car properly

equipped, the gods became filled with wonder. Seeing the energies of the

entire universe united together in one place, O sire, the gods wondered,

and at last represented unto that illustrious Deity that the car was

ready. After, O monarch, that best of cars had thus been constructed by

the gods, O tiger among men, for grinding their foes, Sankara placed upon

it his own celestial weapons. Making the sky its flagstaff, he placed

upon it his bovine bull. The Brahmana's rod, the rod of Death, Rudra's

rod, and Fever became the protectors of the sides of that car and stood

with faces turned towards all sides. Atharvan and Angirasa became the

protectors of the car-wheels of that illustrious warrior. The Rigveda,

the Samaveda, and the Puranas stood in advance of that car. The histories

and the Yajurveda became the protectors of the rear. All sacred Speeches

and all the Sciences stood around it, and all hymns, O monarch, and the

Vedic sound of Vashat also. And the syllable Om, O king, standing in the

van of that car, made it exceedingly beautiful. Having made the Year

adorned with the six seasons his bow, he made his own shadow the

irrefragable string of that bow in that battle. The illustrious Rudra is

Death's self. The Year became his bow; Kala Ratri the Death-night

therefore, which is Rudra's shadow, became the indestructible string of

that bow. Vishnu and Agni and Soma became (as already said) the arrow.

The universe is said to consist of Agni and Soma. The universe is

similarly said to consist of Vishnu. Vishnu is, again, the Soul of the

holy Bhava of immeasurable energy. For this the touch of that bow-string

became unbearable to the Asuras. And the lord Sankara cast on that arrow

his own irresistible and fierce wrath, the unbearable fire of anger,

viz., that which was born of wrath of Bhrigu and Angirasa. Then He called

Nila Rohita (Blue and Red or smoke)--that terrible deity robed in

skins,--looking like 10,000 Suns, and shrouded by the fire of

superabundant Energy, blazed up with splendour. That discomfiter of even

him that is difficult of being discomfited, that victor, that slayer of

all haters of Brahma, called also Hara, that rescuer of the righteous and

destroyer of the unrighteous, viz., the illustrious Sthanu, accompanied

by many beings of terrible might and terrible forms that were endued with

the speed of the mind and capable of agitating and crushing all foes, as

if with all the fourteen faculties of the soul awake about him, looked

exceedingly resplendent. Having his limbs for their refuge, this entire

universe of mobile and immobile creatures that were present there, O

king, looked beautiful, presenting a highly wonderful appearance.

Beholding that car, duly equipped, he cased himself in mail and armed

himself with the bow, and took up that celestial shaft born of Soma and

Vishnu and Agni. The gods, O king, then commanded that foremost of

celestials, viz., Wind, to breathe after that puissant Deity all the

fragrance that he carries. Then Mahadeva, terrifying the very gods, and

making the very Earth tremble, ascended that car resolutely. Then the

great Rishis, the Gandharvas, those throngs of gods and those diverse

tribes of Apsaras began to praise that Lord of the gods while he was

about to ascend that car. Adored by the regenerate Rishis, and praised by

the eulogists and diverse tribes of dancing Apsaras well-versed in the

art of dancing, that boon-giving lord, armed with scimitar and arrow and

bow, looked very beautiful. Smiling, he then asked the gods, 'Who will

become my driver?' The gods answered him, saying, 'He whom thou wilt

appoint, will, O Lord of the gods, without doubt, become thy driver!'

Unto them the god replied, 'Reflecting yourselves, without delay make him

my driver who is superior to me!' Hearing these words uttered by that

high-souled Deity, the gods repaired unto the Grandsire and inclining him

to grace, said these words, 'We have accomplished everything, O holy one,

that thou hadst ordered us to do in the matter of afflicting the foes of

celestials. The Deity having the bull for his mark has been gratified

with us. A car hath been constructed by us, equipped with many wonderful

weapons. We do not, however, know who is to become the driver of that

foremost of cars. Therefore, let some foremost one among the gods be

appointed as the driver. O holy one, it behoveth thee to make true those

words that thou, O lord, hadst then said to us. Before this, O god, thou

hadst even said to us that thou wouldst do us good. It behoveth thee to

accomplish that promise. That irresistible and best of cars, that router

of our foes, hath been constructed out of the component parts of the

celestials. The Deity armed with Pinaka hath been made the warrior who is

to stand on it. Striking the Danavas with fear, he is prepared for

battle. The four Vedas have become the four foremost of steeds. With her

mountains, the Earth has become the car of that high-souled one. The

stars have become the adornments of that vehicle. (As already said) Hara

is the warrior. We do not, however, see who is to become the driver. A

driver should be sought for that car who is superior to all these. Equal

to thee in importance is that car, O god, and Hara is the warrior.

Armour, and weapons, and bow, these we have got already, O Grandsire.

Except thee, we do not behold any person that can make its driver. Thou

art endued with every accomplishment. Thou, O lord, art superior to all

the gods. Mounting upon that car with speed, hold the reins of those

foremost of steeds, for the victory of the celestials and the destruction

of their foes.' It has been heard by us that bowing with their heads unto

the Grandsire that Lord of the three worlds, the gods sought to gratify

him for inducing him to accept the drivership.

"'"The Grandsire said, 'There is nothing of untruth in all this that ye

have said, ye denizens of heaven. I will hold the reins of the steeds for

Kapaddin while he will be engaged in fight.' Then that illustrious god,

that Creator of the worlds, the Grandsire, was appointed by the gods as

the driver of the high-souled Ishana. And when he was about to ascend

quickly upon that car worshipped by all, those steeds, endued with the

speed of the wind, bowed themselves with their heads to the Earth. Having

ascended the car the illustrious Deity, viz., the Grandsire resplendent

with his own energy, took the reins and the goad. Then the illustrious

god, raising those steeds addressed that foremost one among the gods,

viz., Sthanu, saying, 'Ascend.' Then, taking that arrow composed of

Vishnu and Soma and Agni, Sthanu ascended the car, causing the foe to

tremble by means of his bow. The great Rishis, the Gandharvas, the

throngs of gods, and the diverse tribes of Apsaras, then praised that

Lord of the gods after he had ascended the car. Resplendent with beauty,

the boon-giving Lord, armed with scimitar, shaft, and bow, stayed on the

car causing the three worlds to blaze forth with his own energy. The

great Deity once more said unto the gods headed by Indra, 'Ye should

never grieve, doubting my ability to destroy the Asura. Know that the

Asuras have already been slain by means of this arrow'. The gods then

answered, saying, 'It is true! The Asuras have already been slain.'

Indeed, the gods thinking that the words which the divine Lord had said

could not be untrue, became exceedingly gratified. Then that Lord of the

gods proceeded surrounded by all the gods, upon that large car, O king,

which had nothing to compare with it. And the illustrious Deity was

adored, all the while by the attendants that always wait upon him, and by

others that subsisted on meat, that were invincible in battle, and that

danced in joy on the present occasion, running wildly on all sides and

shouting at one another, Rishis also, of great good fortune, possessed of

ascetic merit and endued with high qualities, as also the gods, wished

for Mahadeva's success. When that boon-giving Lord, that dispeller of the

fears of the three worlds, thus proceeded, the entire universe, all the

gods, O best of men, became exceedingly gratified. And the Rishis there

adored the Lord of the gods with diverse hymns, and enhancing his energy,

O king, took up their station there. And millions upon millions of

Gandharvas played upon diverse kinds of musical instruments at the hour

of his setting out. When the boon-giving Brahman, having ascended the

car, set out for the Asuras, the Lord of the Universe, smiling the while,

said, 'Excellent, Excellent! Proceed, O god, to the spot where the

Daityas are. Urge the steeds wakefully. Behold today the might of arms

while I slay the foe in battle.' Thus addressed, Brahman urged those

steeds endued with the fleetness of the wind or thought towards that spot

where the triple city, O king, stood, protected by the Daityas and the

Danavas. With those steeds worshipped by all the worlds, and which

coursed with such speed that they seemed to devour the skies, the

illustrious god quickly proceeded for the victory of the denizens of

heaven. Indeed, when Bhava, riding on the car, set out towards the triple

city, his bull uttered tremendous roars, filling all the points of the

compass. Hearing that loud and terrible roar of the bull, many of the

descendants and followers of Taraka, those enemies of the gods, breathed

their last. Others amongst them stood facing the foe for battle. Then

Sthanu, O king, armed with trident became deprived of his senses in

wrath. All creatures became frightened, and the three worlds began to

tremble. Frightful portents appeared when he was on the point of aiming

that shaft. In consequence, however, of the pressure caused by the weight

of Soma, Agni, and Vishnu that were in that shaft, as also of the

pressure caused by the weight of Brahman and Rudra and the latter's bow,

that car seemed to sink. Then Narayana, issuing out of the point of that

shaft, assumed the form of a bull and raised that large car. During the

time the car had sunk and the foe had began to roar, the illustrious

Deity, endued with great might began, from rage, to utter loud shouts,

standing, O giver of honours, on the head of his bull and the back of his

steeds. At that time the illustrious Rudra was employed in eyeing the

Danava city. While in that posture, O best of men, Rudra cut off the

teats of the horses and clove the hoofs of the bull. Blessed be thou,

from the date the hoofs of all animals of the bovine species came to be

cloven. And from that time, O king, horses, afflicted by the mighty Rudra

of wonderful deeds, came to be without teats. Then Sarva, having stringed

his bow and aimed that shaft with which he had united the Pasupata

weapon, waited thinking of the triple city. And O king, as Rudra thus

stood, holding his bow, the three cities during that time became united.

When the three cities, losing their separate characters became united,

tumultuous became the joy of the high-souled gods. Then all the gods, the

Siddhas, and the great Rishis, uttered the word Jaya, adoring Maheshwara.

The triple city then appeared immediately before that god of unbearable

energy, that Deity of fierce and indescribable form, that warrior who was

desirous of slaying the Asuras. The illustrious deity, that Lord of the

universe, then drawing that celestial bow, sped that shaft which

represented the might of the whole universe, at the triple city. Upon

that foremost of shafts, O thou of great good fortune, being shot, loud

wails of woe were heard from those cities as they began to fall down

towards the Earth. Burning those Asuras, he threw them down into the

Western ocean. Thus was the triple city burnt and thus were the Danavas

exterminated by Maheswara in wrath, from desire of doing good to the

three worlds. The fire born of his own wrath, the three-eyed god

quenched, saying, 'Do not reduce the three worlds to ashes.' After this,

the gods, the Rishis, and the three worlds became all restored to their

natural dispositions, and gratified Sthanu of unrivalled energy with

words of high import. Receiving then the permission of the great god, the

gods with the Creator at their head went away to the places they came

from, their object being accomplished after such effort. Thus that

illustrious Deity, that Creator of the worlds, that Lord of both the Gods

and the Asuras, viz., Maheswara, did that which was for the good of all

the worlds. As the illustrious Brahman, the Creator of the worlds, the

Grandsire, the Supreme Deity of unfading glory, acted as the driver of

Rudra, so do thou restrain the steeds of the high-souled son of Radha

like Grandsire restraining those of Rudra. There is not the slightest

doubt, O tiger among kings, that thou art superior to Krishna, to Karna,

and to Phalguna. In battle, Karna is like Rudra, and thou art like

Brahman in policy. United, ye two, therefore, are competent to vanquish

my foes that are even like the Asuras. Let, O Shalya, that be done

speedily today by which this Karna, grinding the Pandava troops, may be

able to slay Kunti's son owning white steeds and having Krishna for the

driver of his car. Upon thee depend Karna, ourselves, our kingdom, and

(our) victory in battle. Hold the reins, therefore, of the excellent

steeds (of Karna). There is another story which I will narrate. Listen

once more to it. A virtuous brahmana had recited it in the presence of my

father. Hearing these delightful words fraught with the reasons and

purposes of acts, do, O Shalya, what thou mayst settle, without

entertaining any scruples. In the race of the Bhrigus was Jamadagni of

severe ascetic penances. He had a son endued with energy and every

virtue, who became celebrated by the name of Rama. Practising the

austerest penances, of cheerful soul, bound to observances and vows, and

keeping his senses under control, he gratified the god Bhava for

obtaining weapons. In consequence of his devotion and tranquillity of

heart. Mahadeva became gratified with him. Sankara, understanding the

desire cherished in his heart, showed himself unto Rama. And Mahadeva

said, 'O Rama, I am gratified with thee. Blessed be thou, thy desire is

known to me. Make thy soul pure. Thou wilt then have all that thou

desirest. I will give thee all weapons when thou wilt become pure. Those

weapons, O son, of Bhrigu, burn a person that is incompetent and that is

not deserving of them.' Thus addressed by that god of gods, that deity

bearing the trident, the son of Jamadagni, bending his head unto that

puissant high-souled one, said, 'O god of gods, it behoveth thee to give

those weapons unto me that am always devoted to thy service, when, indeed

thou wilt regard me fit for holding them.'"

"'Duryodhana continued. "With penances then, and restraining his senses,

and observances of vows, and worship and offerings and with sacrifices

and Homa performed with mantras, Rama adored Sarva for many long years.

At last Mahadeva, pleased with the high-souled son of Bhrigu's race,

described him, in the presence of his divine spouse, as possessed of many

virtues: 'This Rama, of firm vows is ever devoted to me.' Gratified with

him, the Lord Sankara thus repeatedly proclaimed his virtues in the

presence of gods and the Rishis, O slayer of foes. Meanwhile, the Daityas

became very mighty. Blinded by pride and folly, they afflicted the

denizens of heaven. The gods then, uniting together, and firmly resolved

to slay them, strove earnestly for the destruction of those foes. They,

however, failed to vanquish them. The gods then, repairing to Maheswara,

the Lord of Uma, began to gratify him with devotion, saying, 'Slay our

foes.' That god, having promised the destruction of their foes unto the

celestials, summoned Rama the descendant of Bhrigu. And Sankara addressed

Rama, saying, 'O descendant of Bhrigu, slay all the assembled foes of the

gods, from desire of doing good unto all the worlds as also for my

satisfaction.' Thus addressed, Rama replied unto that boon-giving Lord of

Three-eyes, saying, 'What strength have I, O chief of the gods destitute

as I am of weapons, to slay in battle the assembled Danavas that are

accomplished in weapons and invincible in fight? Maheswara said, 'Go thou

at my command. Thou shalt slay those foes. Having vanquished all those

enemies, thou shalt acquire numerous merits.' Hearing these words and

accepting them all, Rama, causing propitiatory rites to be performed for

his success, proceeded against the Danavas. Addressing those enemies of

the gods that were endued with might and possessed with folly and pride,

he said, 'Ye Daityas that are fierce in battle, give me battle. I have

been sent by the God of gods to vanquish you.' Thus addressed by the

descendant of Bhrigu, the Daityas began to fight. The delighter of the

Bhargavas, however, slaying the Daityas in battle, with strokes whose

touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, came back to Mahadeva.

Jamadagni's son, that foremost of brahmanas returned with many wounds on

his person inflicted by the Danavas. Touched, however by Sthanu, his

wounds were immediately healed. Gratified also with that feat of his, the

illustrious god gave diverse kinds of boons unto the high-souled son of

Bhrigu. With satisfaction in his heart, the trident-wielding God of gods

said, 'The pain thou hast suffered in consequence of the fall of weapons

upon thy body evidences the super-human feat that thou hast achieved, O

delighter of the Bhrigus. As desired by thee, accept from me these

celestial weapons.'"

"'Duryodhana continued, "Having obtained all the celestial weapons and

the boons that had been desired by him, Rama bowed unto Siva with his

head. Obtaining the leave also of the gods that great ascetic went away.

This is the old story that the rishi had recited. The descendant of

Bhrigu gave the whole science of weapons unto the high-souled Karna, O

tiger among kings with delighted heart. If Karna had any fault, O lord of

Earth, the delighter of Bhrigu's race would never have given him his

celestial weapons. I do not think that Karna could have been born in the

Suta order. I think him to be the son of a god, born in the kshatriya

order. I think that he was abandoned (in infancy) in order that the race

in which he was born might be ascertained (by his features and feats). By

no means, O Shalya, could this Karna have been born in the Suta order.

With his (natural) earring and (natural) coat of mail, this mighty

car-warrior of long arms, resembling Surya himself, could not be borne by

a common woman even as a she-deer can never bear a tiger. His arms are

massive, each resembling the trunk of a prince of elephants. Behold his

chest that is so broad and capable of resisting every foe. Karna

otherwise called Vaikartana, O king, cannot be an ordinary person. Endued

with great valour, this disciple of Rama, O king of kings, is a

high-souled personage.'"